Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, effectively dismissing the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and neck disability, finding that the evidence is approximately balanced in favor of these conditions being related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, anxiety, and migraines have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as thoracic spine) and cervical spine disability has been granted.

The Veteran's disability ratings for cervical spine IVDS, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were restored to their previous levels.,An increased disability rating of 40% was granted for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine from January 10, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbosacral and cervical degenerative joint diseases were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The reduction of the rating for bronchitis from 30 percent to 10 percent was upheld, but restoration of the 30 percent rating is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left shoulder strain, and radiculopathy of the upper extremities were all denied ratings in excess of their current assigned ratings.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claims for cervicalgia, left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis are remanded due to a duty to assist error in obtaining his service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for migraines, right knee instability, cervical spine disability, and traumatic brain injury have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The claim of service connection for bowel impairment (secondary to TBI) is remanded.,Your effective date for the increased rating of 100% for bipolar disorder remains May 4, 2018, as it is factually ascertainable that an increase in your disability occurred prior to this date.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his hearing request and all related issues.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions, finding no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his current hearing levels being at Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. For the neck and back disabilities, the Board determined there is insufficient competent medical evidence on file to decide the claims, necessitating further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine and cervical spine are rated based on limitation of motion. The current ratings do not meet criteria for higher ratings.,PTSD is currently evaluated at a 70 percent rating, which is the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, and the cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent. The higher ratings are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, to include degenerative arthritis, is due to his active-duty service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board's decision is vacated due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal under the Legacy Appeal system and opting into the AMA review system, resulting in the withdrawal of the original appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines and right hip pain, combined to render her unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation. As such, she is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding no evidence that it began in service or was related to an in-service event.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities. The claims for left elbow disability and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical disability is rated at 30 percent, and his bilateral upper extremity radiculopathies are each rated at 20 percent. These ratings have been granted.